ENV/Ecology/TBT-ENV-023

Great Crested Newt Protection

Environmental › Ecology › Great Crested Newt Protection

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Great crested newts are strictly protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.
It is a criminal offence to kill, injure, capture, or disturb great crested newts or damage their habitat.
Newts use ponds for breeding in spring but spend most of the year in terrestrial habitats up to 500 metres away.
Log piles, rubble, grassland, hedgerows, and compost heaps near ponds are key terrestrial newt habitats.
A Natural England European Protected Species licence is required before any work that may affect newt habitat.
Newt surveys must be carried out by licensed ecologists during the appropriate survey season (March to June).
Newt exclusion fencing and pitfall trapping may be required to clear a site before construction can begin.
Penalties for offences include unlimited fines and up to six months imprisonment per offence.
Construction sites near ponds or wetland features have a high probability of great crested newt presence.
District Level Licensing (DLL) schemes now operate in some areas as an alternative to individual site licences.

Legal protection	Great crested newts have the highest level of legal protection — offences carry unlimited fines and imprisonment.
Prevent prosecution	Killing or disturbing newts without a licence results in prosecution of individuals and companies.
Habitat dependency	Newts rely on both aquatic and terrestrial habitats — construction can destroy both without proper mitigation.

Don't

Commission a great crested newt survey before any work near ponds or wetland features
Obtain a Natural England licence before starting any work that may affect newt habitat
Install newt exclusion fencing to the ecologist's specification before site clearance begins
Brief all site personnel on what great crested newts look like and what to do if found
Stop work immediately and contact the ecological advisor if a newt is found during works
Protect ponds and terrestrial habitat within 500 metres of known breeding sites
Use an ecological clerk of works to supervise site clearance in newt habitat areas
Maintain exclusion fencing in good repair for the full duration of the construction works
Check beneath stored materials and log piles before moving them in newt habitat areas
Create replacement newt habitat as required by the licence conditions before work begins

DON'T clear vegetation or excavate near ponds without completing a newt survey first
DON'T start construction in newt habitat without a valid Natural England licence in place
DON'T handle, capture, or move great crested newts without a personal handling licence
DON'T damage or drain ponds within 500 metres of the site without ecological assessment
DON'T remove log piles or rubble near ponds without checking for sheltering newts first
DON'T drive vehicles or store materials over known newt terrestrial habitat areas
DON'T breach newt exclusion fencing or allow gaps that let newts back onto the site
DON'T carry out site clearance during breeding season without licensed supervision
DON'T ignore the requirement to create replacement habitat as a licence condition
DON'T assume fish-free ponds lack newts — great crested newts prefer fish-free water

See also: Protected Species Awareness | Ecological Clerk of Works Role

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